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Published December 6, 2015

Red Bull’s 2016 engine deal with Renault could be extended beyond the one year depending on the French manufacturer’s rate of development.

Months after giving notice to Renault that they are terminating their partnership a year early, Red Bull announced on Friday that they would continue with the company for a further season.

In 2016 Red Bull will run TAG Heuer badged Renault’s engine.

Speaking to Speed Week, the team’s advisor Helmut Marko revealed that the current deal is for “one year” only but conceded it could yet be extended.

He explained: “We hope to have an alternate engine from 2017, or the other option would be Renault develops so well in 2016 that we seek an extension.

“The concepts presented by Renault look good. Now they need to be implemented and respected in practice what they promise in theory.

“The question is how quickly that will be possible.”

Marko also revealed that Red Bull would race the same spec power units as Lotus, the team recently purchased by Renault to run as a works outfit, while engine guru Mario Illien would help develop the unit.

“We will have Renault power units at the same level as the factory team,” he said.

“Mario Illien will co-operate with his Ilmor company as a consultant with Renault to help development. He does it on behalf of Renault in Viry-Chatillon.”

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Michele Rahal began his career as a professional racing driver in the United States driving for top road racing teams. In 1988, Mr. Rahal retired from active driving and moved on to create motorsports insurance packages for teams, events, facilities and drivers.